Welcome from the Director of Teaching and Learning (Postgraduate) to the School of Chemistry, a partner School in the Dublin Chemistry (DubChem) Initiative

Chemistry is a pivotal discipline that lies at the crossroads of biological and physical sciences. But chemistry is more than just a central science because, with chemistry, we can shape the future or, more importantly, our graduates can. With this in mind the leading Schools of Chemistry in Ireland, namely University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin, have come together to develop a new frontier in graduate education and training in chemistry, known locally as DubChem. The modern Ph.D. student is much more than just a specialist in a very narrow area. Today’s graduate must have a broad overview of the science, well-developed problem-solving skills, the confidence to tackle a range of projects outside their particular area of expertise, and be able to communicate their results to both the scientific and lay communities.

With over 40 team leaders, DubChem offers young scientists the opportunity to conduct wide-ranging high-level research in areas such as synthetic and computational chemistry, nanochemistry, advanced materials, biological and medicinal chemistry and much, much more. Importantly, this research is supported by advanced level chemistry graduate modules and training in instrumental techniques as well as modules in communication, presenting and research.

The programme is organized through the Dublin Chemistry Management Committee, which meets regularly, is particularly receptive to student input, and is supported by the annual meeting of the Dublin Chemistry Steering Committee.

In this environment we will continue to nurture the next generation of scientists, who will bring new solutions to society by their enhanced understanding and control of new molecules and materials with novel physical or biological properties.

Dublin Chemistry is also working with other Schools of Chemistry in the greater Dublin region to provide graduate modules through the Dublin Region Higher Education Alliance in Chemistry.

Dónall Mac Dónaill
Director of Teaching and Learning (Postgraduate),
School of Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin